New video for Chiddy Bang's latest single "Truth", featuring samples from Passion Pit

New Music Tuesday!

It's been a few weeks since i've anticipated any of the new releases, but today is a day worth getting excited about because it is a BIG day. The Mynabirds, Avi Buffalo, Jesse Malin & St. Mark's Social, and Gogol Bordello. Whew!

We featured both The Mynabirds and Avi Buffalo in our SXSW round-up, and both are definitely worth your time. Jesse Malin is back with a new band, and if you don't know who he is, it's about time you learned. He's completely underrated and amazing. Gogol Bordello's new release is also amazing, but what else would we expect of a live album from one of the most energetic bands on the planet?

Now go, listen. You have no excuse not to indulge in some great new releases.

Free album streams:
The Mynabirds, What We Lose in the Fire, We Gain in the Flood, here.

Avi Buffalo's self-titled debut. Find it here.

Jesse Malin and St. Mark's Social- sadly not a full stream, but check it out anyway.

Gogol Bordello's Trans-Continental Hustle is here.

The Streets on Fire - Hot Weekend



I literally am incapable of listening to anything but this record by Chicago locals The Streets on Fire. It's called 'Hot Weekend' and if you're a fan of vaguely noisy, vaguely ambling and vaguely terrifying yet accessible rock'n'roll in the vein of Big Black, Scratch Acid and Slint then do yourself a favor and cruise on over to their myspace page and listen. If you don't end up digging it so much that you've played it through completely two or three times, then I'll buy you a beer. A cheap one. This is one of those records whose complexities are only fully appreciated upon several subsequent spins, however, it's music with a poppy enough foundation that I feel just about anyone could easily pick it up and enjoy.

Go!

The Weather Machines

 South Dakota doesn't strike me as having much to offer- but they do have The Weather Machines. Or, did, rather, as the band is currently on hiatus.

No bother though, you can still enjoy the poppy goodness of Jason Ward and company.


The Weather Machines - Modern Text On Love

The Weather Machines | MySpace Music Videos

Mos Dub

Max Tannone did it again! The deliriously talented producer behind Jaydiohead has crafted another smash. This time he's serving up a hot slab of genius mashup awesome in the form of Mos Dub; classic dub/ska/reggae tracks backing up Mos Def's lyrical flow. After showing it to fans of Jamaican music, hip hop fans, rock'n'roll fans and well, people with a slight tendency to enjoy music, the consensus is clear; this project is 100% excellent.

He's once again managed to make two disparate, unrelated and seemingly irreconcilable sounds come together and merge into something greater than the sum of it's parts. This mashup is also something new; a unique statement using Mos Def's words and delivery and essentially, Jamaica's attitude and vibe to create a musical tapestry that is both instantly appealing to almost anyone, and deep and complex enough to satisfy over-analytical geeks and record store crate-divers. It definitely sounds as if it were recorded at one time by a combined, unified effort of like-minded artists and musicians and that is truly where the ultimate success of a good mashup lies; can the producer create and sustain something intentional and true out of what amounts to musical spare parts?

The answer is a resounding "Fuck Yeah." Enjoy the first track here and then go listen to AND download the rest!

Mos Dub - 01 - Johnny Too BeefbyMax Tannone

Band of Skulls and John and Jehn cover "Sympathy For the Devil" live on french tv

This is fucking righteous. A song so epic that it takes 2 bands to do it justice. And boy do they:

       

Strange Boys

My friend just sent me this, Austin's Strange Boys "Be Brave". All I can say is "Wow!"
It's raw, soulful garage rock at it's best.

Record Store Day!

Tomorrow is Record Store Day!

Independent record stores across the country will be hosting fun events with live music and other surprises. In support of Record Store Day, many bands are offering limited release items available only at independent retailers.

A few releases that I am excited about:

Bon Iver/ Peter Gabriel- "Come Talk to Me"/"Flume" 7 in.
Gogol Bordello- "We Comin Rougher"/"Transcontinental Hustle" 7 in.
Hold Steady- Heaven is Wherever: Hand screenprinted vinyl- release of 600
Muse- "Exogenesis" Symphony 7 in.
REM- Chronic Town EP, blue vinyl

Get the full list here.

If you don't already have plans to join in the festivities, I suggest you make them now. Go here to find all of the events in your area and support your local, independent record store!

Bad Rabbits

I can't do any better than the bio at last.fm

Boston’s Bad Rabbits is a unique mix of power and Soul with the definite propensity to explode on stage. They are the surprising combination of New Jack Swing and late 80s/early 90s dance with a hard, hybrid edge—the combined swagger of prince with the intensity of Bad Brains.

The innovative genre is called New Crack Swing, a lively twist on an era they were genuinely influenced by, and perhaps only Dua Boakye has the vocals and presence to pull it off. He has that raw Soul that goes back to Sly and the Family Stone, a rare and unstoppable talent; uncanny, as well, when matched with his ability to sing as hard as any rocker today.


You can download their EP Stickup Kids free and stream the EP here

Live- Muse with Silversun Pickups- 04/09 at US Airways Arena

I admit to having a habit of saying "Best show ever!" about a lot of shows, but this one tops them all. Seriously, the only thing I can compare it to is seeing Pink Floyd live in 1994. The sound was excellent for an arena show, the lights and effects were stunning without being overbearing, and the energy was palpable. Every song was perfect, the set was over two hours long, and I left the venue feeling a little giddy.

Rather than write a trite and factually inaccurate review full of grammatical errors- azcentral.com already did this- the pictures can speak for themselves. They aren't the best quality, but I think you'll get the idea.

 Silversun Pickups

From Muse

Muse- opening sequence

From Muse

More after the jump.

The New Messengers

Sometimes you stumble across a band when you're in a bathroom at a bar. This was one of those times. Last Sunday at Cole's during Cinema Minima I saw a poster for The New Messengers and really decided that I liked their name and that I needed to check them out. I typed them into Google on my phone and went back to watching "Raising Arizona." Fast forward almost a week and I'm finally checking out these Chicago locals. Well, I'm happy to report that I am definitely digging their low key, lo-fi, approachable, and unpretentious indie rock. Give 'em a listen here:

<a href="http://thenewmessengers.bandcamp.com/album/cyclery">Mountaintop by the New Messengers</a>

Here's their site, standout tracks include all of them. Go!

Free Energy

Har Mar Superstar covered "Something in Common" at his Chicago show a few nights ago and then posted the video. Thanks, Har Mar, for turning me on to this great band.

If you like laid back friendly rock, check them out:


"Free Energy" from Free Energy on Vimeo.

More music after the jump.

Do do do do do

In honor of the absence of our smitten, starry-eyed, love-struck contributor.
J.Paul, this one's for you.

Janelle Monae- Tightrope

Janelle Monae rocks. She's sassy, has killer style, and an incredible voice. I think i'd like to be her when I grow up. I first heard about her in 2007, when her Metropolis EP was released. Metropolis is five songs of pure awesome, and i've been waiting impatiently for a full length album since then. Finally, after three years, The Archandroid will be released on May 18. Since that's still too far away for my liking, this video will have to do.

They're back.

Fivespeed is from Peoria, Arizona. They have been a band for eleven years and I have known them for many of those. They have an ep and a full length (trade in your halo) released on Arizona based record label "Sunset Alliance Records". They released the "bella" ep on Equal Vision records. And their record 'MORNING OVER MIDNIGHT" was released 2006 on Virgin Records. The band has taken a few years off but is back in the studio writing for their new record that will be available in 2010.

These guys are an amazing band and amazing people. Some of the coolest people I've known.
Generous, gracious, and they fucking rock.

Do yourself a favor and check them out.

myspace/fivespeed

Japan Invasion!

I am fascinated with Japan. The traditions and customs, their strange obsession with all things American Pop Culture, the game shows, the vending machines, and yes, the square watermelons. There are quite a few bands out of Japan that cite the US music scene as inspiration, and here are a couple:

JinnyOops!

Normally, I don't dig all-girl bands. These ladies are an exception.



JinnyOops! on myspace

Okamoto's

This quartet proudly boasts that they want to fill the boots left behind by the Ramones. They've even gone so far as to adopt an identical surname- Okamoto, of course. Whether or not Okamoto's is Japan's answer to the Ramones remains to be seen, but their unique sound of early 70's-inspired rock is fun to listen to.



Okamoto's on myspace

BRAHMS

This NYC band has only been together a short time, but they've made a big impact on the music scene with their fun electro-pop. Their first show was in front of an audience of 2000 people, and they scored an invite to SXSW this year.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many new bands, music is hard to come by on the web. You can find them on their website and myspace, or you can check out the live video below, courtesy of BIG LIVE.

BRAHMS from Big Live on Vimeo.

Givers

Outside of New Orleans, Louisiana isn't exactly a place that screams "musical mecca", but Givers aims to change that. With catchy melodies and poppy fun tunes, you'll be chair dancing in no time. Check em out:



Givers on myspace

The Mynabirds - Numbers Don't Lie

To me, Saddle Creek used to be this incredible powerhouse of a label. So many great bands! So much great music! But then things changed- Bright Eyes disbanded and Conor Oberst left for a country-tinged stint with Merge, The Faint started their own imprint, and Cursive just got weird. Saddle Creek is back on my radar now though, and it's all thanks to The Mynabirds. The band's debut album will be released April 27.

Kid Cudi - Pursuit Of Happiness ft. MGMT, Ratatat

Many of us are experiencing tough times, myself included. Whether it's political, social, economic, even personal. And, every once in a while there is a song that moves you, helps you drive on, put one foot in front of the other. An anthem that not only helps you to move forward, but makes you dance forward. Kid Cudi's Pursuit of Happiness from 2009 is one of those tracks. I'm singin' in with him:

"I’m On The Pursuit Of Happiness And I Know Everything That Shines Ain’t Always Gonna Be Gold; Hey, I’ll Be Fine Once I Get It; Yeah; I’ll Be Good"

MUSE live at SXSW

It's no secret that MUSE is probably my favorite band ever, and finally seeing them live last December just cemented that. These guys are incredibly talented of course, but there's just nothing better than having every one of your ridiculously high expectations exceeded at a live show. I'll be seeing them again in 19 days when they roll through Phoenix, and here's a little something to keep the anticipation up.

MUSE live from SXSW, via myspace.


Muse - Live from South By Southwest 2010

MUSE | MySpace Music Videos

SXSW picks, day eight

We have more great bands from SXSW today and you win, because I couldn't narrow it down to 5. Enjoy! 

After the jump: Master Shortie, The 88, Jonna Lee, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Maverick Sabre, The Boxer Rebellion, and Instrumenti.

Gavin Castleton, What the Hell are You?

Gavin Castleton. I discovered him while listening to artists at the last SXSW. And I can't seem to figure this guy out. His latest album is love gone bad/zombie movie. His tweets are a continuing story: twitter/gavincastleton
His music is indefinable. I really don't know what to make of it. I like it. A lot. But what the hell is it? Not that music necessarily has to be defined in a genre, but, I really would like to know what the hell is going on.
His latest album, Home, is described as "an album about the process of healing from massive heartbreak. Written over the course of a two- year breakup, this 14-song narrative blurs the line between fact and fiction as it details the extreme highs and gut-wrenching lows of Castleton’s first bout with love, presented in the motif of a zombie film."

Here is one of the songs, “Coffeelocks” a "50’s doo-wop/dub pop of - a love at first sight introduction in the coffee shop"



Listen to his entire new album HOME here: http://www.gavincastleton.com/

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about it.

SXSW picks, day seven

It's day two of the SXSW festival in Austin, and the Beards picks continue. Here are some highlights from today's performances.

After the jump: Avi Buffalo, Tigersapien, Le Loup, These United States, and Horse Feathers.

SXSW picks, day six

Today marks the official start of the music festivities at SXSW. While we can't be there to document all of the great music in person, the picks continue.

Check out today's selections after the jump:
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Hyperpotamus, Jill Barber, Surfer Blood, and Miles Kurosky.

SXSW picks, day five

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts tomorrow. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.

Check out today's picks after the jump:


New Holy Fuck song! "Latin America"

Yes, it's completely badass and chair-danceable if you're stuck in the office. No, the embed code does not want to behave itself so instead, please have this delightful link:

http://holyfuckmusic.com/

Enjoy or die~!

"Kings of the basement party jam"

Straight outta Philly is Chiddy Bang, who some bloggers say is a "hipsters wet dream". Combining hip-hop and electronica with samples from MGMT, Passion Pit, even Mary Poppins, Chiddy Bang is the self-proclaimed "Kings of the basement party jam".


Opposite Of Adults (HD)

Chiddy Bang | MySpace Music Videos


Their story is as great as their music: http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/11148

SXSW picks, day four

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.

Check out today's picks after the jump:
Kaiser Cartel, Lost in Holland, Nico Stai, Suzanna Choffel, The Young Republic


SXSW picks, day three

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks. 

Check out today's picks after the jump: Choir of Young Believers, Monarchs, More or Les, The Hounds Below, The Minutes




SXSW picks, day two

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks. 

Check out today's picks after the jump: Doll and the Kicks, L. Stadt, The Black and White Years, The Howlies, The Pharmacy, The Uglysuit


SXSW picks, day one

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.


Check out today's picks after the jump: Diamond Rings, Jason Collett, Jenny Owen Youngs, Miz Metro, The Dirty Hearts


White Williams - Route to Palm

by J.Paul

Dude, seriously; I love the fuck out of this song. It's totally chill, surf-y and in my opinion upbeat with vague hints of melancholy in the guitar licks and his singing. My kind of song and perfect for an overcast March day in the Windy City.

OK Go- This Too Shall Pass

If you aren't familiar with OK Go, you've clearly been living under a rock. (If you need a memory jog, they did that cool synchronized treadmill dance in the video for "There it Goes Again") These guys not only produce some great, energetic music, but their videos are always worth watching. Insanely creative and usually band-produced, I haven't seen one yet that I didn't like. Their newest one, an alternate video for "This Too Shall Pass", tops even the treadmill dance. The band created and built the entire machine! Check it out:


Because The Beard Said So

Yeah, that's right, the beard in that picture on our homepage told us about this guy, Detroit's own Randolph Chabot's Deastro. According to his bio on lostfm; All the music is made in Chabot’s Detroit basement with the help of sampled children’s toys and synthesizers, blurring the lines between electronic and acoustic music.
Here he performs live in-studio at KEXP 90.3 FM Seattle:



Some behind the scenes magic, following Chabot around his Detroit home:

Aaron Thomas

I stumbled across Aaron Thomas' somehow optimistically-sung yet hopelessly-worded song "Any More" via SXSW. And I find myself moved every time I hear it, like the rest of his music. Somehow he combines the haunting with the uplifting.

Here is the first single from his second album of the same name, Made of Wood.



Aaron was born in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia), and has lived in the Ukraine, the United States and now resides in Madrid, Spain. His first album release was Follow the Elephants (Everlasting records/Recordings From the Other Side, 2008), recorded and mixed in Madrid by singer, guitarist, writer and poet, Julio de la Rosa (El Hombre Burbuja). Follow the Elephants led to invitations to play and sell his record in the US (CMJ and South by South West, in New York and Austin, Texas), the UK (Concrete and Glass, London), Germany (PopKomm in Berlin) and his native Australia (various headline shows and supports in different cities). Meanwhile Aaron was writing, rehearsing with his band - plucked from the best acts on Madrid’s avant-garde and indie circuits – Jorge Fuertes on drums and percussion (Doss, Pleasure Fuckers, NudoZurdo), Javi Díez-Ena on the stand-up bass (Dead Capo, Insecto, Ainara Legardon), Rebecca Lander on backing vocals (The Knot, Roman Lieske, Alek Stark, Kracovia), and Abraham Boba (Nacho Vegas, Julio de la Rosa).

http://www.myspace.com/aaronthomasband

The Laureates - No Kontrol EP

by J.Paul

Just saw these devilishly handsome gentlemen on Friday at the Hideout and had an absolute blast. They've got a high energy, well kicked out garage rock sound and have got me all stoked to see them play again. The show was a record release party for their latest, the No Kontrol EP which can be streamed below. My only complaint about it is that the vocals could be mixed up a bit louder in "Disconnected," otherwise these five songs ought to fuel your fire for rough around the edges rock'n'roll from four dudes who love what they're doing. Enjoy!


http://www.laureatesmusic.com/




Beyonce - Single Ladies(Endless Noise version)

by J.Paul

This shit is fucking rad! My motown bones are totally chair dancing right now. If Top 40 R&B still sounded like this, I would be tuned in all the time.

Video of the day- Miles Kurosky: Dog in the Burning Building

Admittedly, I never got into Beulah like well- a lot of people- but I dig Kurosky's solo stuff. His first solo album, The Desert of Shallow Effects, will be released on March 9.

Her Take: Lightspeed Champion- Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You

Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, the latest offering from Lightspeed Champion, tells a loosely tied together story of heartbreak, misery, and an eventual ascent back to happiness. In keeping with the style of 2008’s Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, easy and beautiful melodies mesh with unexpected lyrics. Unfortunately, the unexpected lyrics are still too predictable with themes of sadness and failed relationships. Maybe if Falling Off the Lavender Bridge hadn’t been so refreshing, I wouldn’t have expected so much from Life is Sweet.

The album is a pleasant enough listen, fading into the background quite easily, but it is hardly memorable. "Sweetheart", "Madame Van Damme", and "Middle of Dark" are highlights, but the rest of the album is just so-so.

Blind Pilot

Browsing through one of my favorite vintage shops yesterday, I heard a song that gave me the chills. Turns out, it was 3 Rounds and a Sound by Blind Pilot. The song is the title track from the album, released in July 2008.

Usually I have to hear an entire album before I decide to buy it, but not this one. It's beautiful and haunting in the best of ways. Check it out:

Har Mar Superstar- Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Funny story about Har Mar- the first time I saw him, I was a bit terrified. But as all good things do, he grew on me. His live shows are great, and the newest addition of having a live band for backing instead of a boom box make them even better.

Broken Bells - The High Road

by J.Paul

Danger Mouse and James Mercer?  Yes.  As a fan of all things Shins, especially his voice and lyrics, I am completely stoked.  As a fan of Mr. Mouse and his sheer creativity, I'm stoked.  Listen to this song and you'll be stoked too.



Also, their website is a fair amount of fun and has a link to their myspace(yeah, I know) for another outstanding song, "Vaporize."


http://www.brokenbells.com/home.html

The beards interview with producer Max Tannone



After stumbling across the Jaydiohead project and thoroughly enjoying it, we knew we needed to hear more and know the full story.  Awesomely, the man behind it has been busy.  We were able to dig into Jaydiohead: The Encore and Doublecheck Your Head and even better; he was cool enough to answer some of our questions about his work, his process and what he might have in store for us down the road.

What inspired the Jaydiohead project? Jay Z and Radiohead are pretty far apart, musically. What was it that made them come together for you?

I first heard the track "I Might Be Wrong" by Radiohead, and thought that it would make a great hip-hop beat. So, I did it, and put Jay-Z vocals for "Pray" over it. Then I did another track with Thom Yorke's "Black Swan" and Jay-Z's "Ignorant Shit." I had these two tracks done for about a year before I decided to make it into a whole album. When I thought of the name "Jaydiohead", it spurred me to see the project through. It was a personal challenge, just to see if I could make it sound cool.

What are some of your most important musical influences? 
So many really, but lately I've been influenced by the Beastie Boys, productions from DJ Premier, Beck, and King Tubby.

Best burger in NYC? 
Cafe Orlin on 8th street btwn 1st and 2nd avenue. Its $10 with fries and a salad which is a pretty good deal around here.
What have you been listening to lately? 
Beck, Miike Snow, Breakbot, and dub music.


Hit the jump for the rest of the interview...


Dark Halls by Au Revoir Simone

By J.Paul

Continuing with the indie pop theme from the post below, I gotta mention this one.  Au Revoir Simone is an all girl 3 piece from Brooklyn with unbelievable songwriting chops.  If this bouncy, beautiful track can't lift your spirits a bit then you're probably dead.  The video itself is kind of amateurish and goofy, but that's not the point; the point is definitely how the hook grabs you right away and how the harmonizing and handclaps endear the song to you even more.  Or maybe that's just me; the ultimate sucker for a catchy, well-crafted pop song?

Skybox Live Session at Hear Ya

By J.Paul

Skybox was a show I got dragged to back in November by friends.  Had never heard of them but damn, did I walk away impressed.  They played at Schuba's and totally lit the place up.  High energy indie pop played with gusto and sung with a sweet falsetto and more mellow, folkier songs played with a lot of heart.  It seems like whatever these guys put their minds to they absolutely nail it.  Their latest record "Morning After Cuts" came out last month and can be streamed in it's entirety at their site: http://skyboxmusic.com/


Skybox - "In A Dream" - HearYa Live Session 1/16/10 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.


This video is taken from their recent live sessions with Hear Ya.  Performed live these songs have a new vibe and energy all their own, obviously, and are definitely worth the download.  As a companion piece to the record, they offer some great insight into what can be expected from their upcoming shows; though when I saw them they did sound a bit punchier and a bit dirtier.

Check that out here: http://www.hearya.com/2010/02/09/skybox-live-session-65/

Vampire Weekend does Rancid.

by Cori

The New England pretty boys of Vampire Weekend have done a bad bad thing. They've gone and butchered covered "Ruby Soho". Just when I thought they couldn't do any worse than the piece of garbage that was Contra, they've surprised me again.

Please, Vampire Weekend, for the love of all that is holy, just stop. This sophomore slump is turning into a lifestyle and you're better than that. All of you. Just because you like ska and punk, does not mean that you should attempt to play it. Especially if that attempt is a cover of a pretty iconic song.

Judge for yourself: here.

Hockey - Too Fake

by Cori

I think I came across these guys via Pitchfork, I can't remember. They're energetic, a little electronic, and just fun. Their album, Mind Chaos, is out now.


Musings: The Strokes

By Cori

Paste Magazine reported today that The Strokes are back in the studio, working on a new album. Initially I was excited- how awesome was Is This It? That record hit me like a freight train and changed my ears forever. But then, it all came back to me. My late 2001 love affair with Julian Casablancas' voice, and in the spirit of full disclosure, his hair. Playing the album so many times that the CD became softly rounded on the edges and scratched to hell. Knowing every word to every song, and singing along loudly, albeit badly. I loved this band. I couldn't wait for more. I couldn't wait to see them live.

On January 28, 2002, the spell was broken at The Web Theater when The Strokes took the stage. All of the magic in Is This It began to wane about the time I realized Julian was so drunk he could barely stand, and vanished completely when he fell over backward, completing the set from a supine position in the middle of the stage. Don't get me wrong, the music was sound- in fact, it sounded so perfect that I almost wondered if they were lip-syncing. (They weren't) But I expected more. I expected the band to be as excited about the show as the audience was. In reality, it seemed like that stage was the last place they wanted to be.

When Room on Fire was released, I was still bitter. First Impressions of Earth found me slightly softened toward the band, so I gave it a shot. It wasn't Is This It, nor was it particularly noteworthy, but I couldn't hate them anymore.

Since the release of First Impressions of Earth, the band has been busy doing other things- 2 solo albums for Albert Hammond Jr., one for Julian, the Little Joy collaboration for Fabrizio Moretti- and my hope is that they've grown up a little. Maybe, just maybe, the time they've spent apart has given them just what they need to be bigger and better than ever.

Jaydiohead is cooler than you

by J.Paul

Just a quick update with the coolest fucking thing I've seen in awhile. Jaydiohead. Jay-Z rapping over Radiohead music in the first mashup I can admit to really liking.  A lot.  Ok, an obscene amount of like is oozing out of me directed right at this thing.  Minty Fresh Beats put it all together and really doesn't need my help spreading the word as he got a mention on Carson Daly's wretched show not long after he was done with this project.  I just want to gush.




Pure genius in my not-so-humble opinion.  Can't believe I missed this when it first got released back in January of 2009. Guess I'm more out of touch than I could have imagined. Regardless, I've never been a Jay-Z fan but I realize now that the guy is a total badass. His rise to prominence happened as I was smack dab in the middle of my ubar-punk rock phase, also known as adolescence. So for me, he was a non-entity as I totally rejected popular music in it's entirety without giving any of it a chance. Very punk by the standards of the unenlightened portion of that subculture I suppose, but certainly not fucking cool in the wider music geek circle I find myself in currently. What this mashup is going to inspire me to do is finally give the man a chance. I'll be something like 12 years late to the party but I don't mind.

Radiohead; what can I say? I love the fuck out of them.  Enjoy.

Source: http://jaydiohead.com/

The Step and the Walk by The Duke Spirit

by J.Paul

Lately I can't get enough of this band and their brilliant-all-the-way-through release from 2008, Neptune.  It's one of those records where each song has it's own vibe but manages to flow perfectly from the previous song and then into the next.  Each member has impressive musical chops and the singer, Leila, has got beautiful, room-filling pipes.  I also really enjoy the background juxtaposition of an album featuring nautical themes but recorded in a desert.  This pleases me.  Should appeal to just about any discerning rock'n'roll fan.  They're working on a third album and I can't wait, especially for the live show.

His Take - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat by The Brighton Port Authority


by J.Paul

This record starts out with "He's Frank" a groovy, chilled out tune with Iggy Pop in full on Avenue B, grouchy old man singspeak mode. The music is head-bobbingly catchy and sounds like it might have been lifted from a commercial for sofa coverings, circa 1967. Kind of like something mundane is trying to be really happy and awesome, and it's succeeding admirably.

I break down the rest of the songs after the jump...

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait

By Cori

Today marks the release of Charlotte Gainsbourg's new album Irm, a collaboration with and produced by Beck. In honor of that, check out the video for one of the album's singles- "Heaven Can Wait".

(Ed. Note 2/1/10: J.Paul thought this exchange was worth appending to this post)

cori: :) I have good ideas occasionally.
j.paul: hey why don't you review the charlotte gainsbourg album? i just remembered that you posted the video when it released.
there's a good idea ;)
cori: that would mean i'd have to listen to it again.
once is enough
except that one song.
j.paul: hahaha


Muse - Resistance

by Cori

I love this band, and I feel no shame in admitting that. Yeah, they're one of those bands- the ones with huge, major label funding and (shudder) stadium shows- but they also happen to be a group of incredibly talented guys, and they put on one hell of a live show.

This video doesn't have the benefit of some cool concept or plot, but it definitely got me geeked all over again for the upcoming show in April.

Her Take: Beach House- Teen Dream

by Cori

The first time I heard Beach House- 2008's Devotion- it nearly put me to sleep. I couldn’t understand the buzz and excitement about the band, and I hastily stashed them away in the “overrated” section of the filing cabinet in my head. Given that initial experience, I am not entirely sure what prompted me to give their new album, Teen Dream, a spin. The name alone is pretty off-putting, bringing to mind angst and drama and all the things I hated about high school. Maybe that’s just my neuroses showing.

To say that I didn’t expect much from Teen Dream would be an understatement. Happily, this album seems to be the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day with its fluffy, soft ambience and easy melodies. Stand-out tracks on the album include Silver Soul, 10 Mile Stereo, and Lover of Mine. The vocals and music nestle perfectly together for a sound that gives equal weight to both parts, creating a dreamy feeling. While Teen Dream may not have convinced me to put Beach House into regular rotation, hearing something completely different from time to time is really refreshing.

Blankest Year by Nada Surf

by J.Paul

This song pretty much sums it up for me right now.  I think it's become my anthem for right this minute.  It's rare that I'll actually put a single track on repeat, but this one has earned that unique distinction.  Thanks Nada Surf.

The Weakerthans - Sun in an Empty Room

by Cori

The Weakerthans are incredibly underrated and,  for me, are one of the few bands that have the power to evoke deep emotional responses to their songs. Check this song out and see if it doesn't touch you at least a little bit.


Joe Pug - Hymn 101

by Cori

Joe Pug is one of the many great discoveries from last year's SXSW festival. His lyrics are wise beyond his years, and the simple guitar melodies are beautiful. He'll be performing at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix on February 8. Here's the video.


Brandi Carlile - Mad World (Live, Cover)

by Cori

I can't take credit for finding this awesome little gem(Ed. note: No, but I can! -J.Paul), but it's definitely worth sharing. Many have covered this song, originally released in 1982 by Tears for Fears, but this version is by far my favorite.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

by Cori

Yeasayer seems to be one of those bands that people either love or hate, but I think their new album, Odd Blood, could be the one that propels them out of relative obscurity. It's good. Really good.

Here's the video for their first single off the new album, to be released February 9.

His take: 'Contra' by Vampire Weekend


by J.Paul

Are you sure it was August, 2007? It seemed more like October or November when we saw them cos I thought that record came out in February. Anyway.

You've got to be fucking kidding me. This record starts with 'Horchata,' which can't decide on what kind of beat it wants to have, and in the least charming way imaginable. It's all over the place and sounds contrived. Also, the lyrics are silly, trite and have no meaning. Which is fine, but I expected more from this band who've already proven they know how to at least tell an interesting story. What a piece of shit. Moving on after the jump.

Her Take: Vampire Weekend - Contra

by Cori

Picture this. It’s August 2007, standing outside a shabby little dive bar on Van Buren waiting for a show to start. Everyone is excited- the band has a unique sound, the songs are intelligent and we all know the words, even though the self-titled debut album won’t be released for another five months. The band is Vampire Weekend, and they experience overnight success.
Moving back into the present, the band has just released their second album, Contra. The naming of the album seems oddly appropriate- as though it were the rebellious teenage phase of the band’s growth. Maybe the boys are still suffering the fatigue of success, but Contra strikes me as lazy, lackluster, and predictable. Let us examine it closer, shall we?
The first track, Horchata, was released well in advance of the album. This song is incredible in that they managed to somehow distill everything great about their style into one homogenized, repetitive piece of crap. I hated it the first time I heard it, and I hate it now. The rest of the album falls pretty flat, with a few notable exceptions. Giving Up the Gun is the only song on the album that I truly enjoyed, and the delicate piano melody of Taxi Cab softened my cold black heart enough that I could almost forgive the band for the vocoder voice effects ala Kanye West in California English. Almost.
I had high hopes for Vampire Weekend- they put on a great live show and that first album was a breath of fresh air. For now, I am going to cross my fingers, put Contra away to gather dust, and hope that this is that mythical sophomore slump- not the direction of growth for this young band.

Miike Snow- Sans Soleil

by Cori

J.Paul sent me Miike Snow's self-titled album awhile back and I loved it instantly. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten the proper attention it deserved since then, which led to me hearing this song in a bar last Sunday night and not being able to figure out who it was. It gave me goosebumps, so naturally I had to unravel the mystery. What a pleasant surprise to find that it was lurking in my iTunes library all along. Enjoy.


The Avett Brothers- Laundry Room

by Cori

A little behind the times, I just heard The Avett Brothers' critically acclaimed I and Love and You recently. It has a little bit of everything, musically, and the Avetts are wonderful lyricists. This song in particular struck me.


Spoon- Written In Reverse

by Cori

Spoon is one of those completely underrated bands that no one seems to know, but everyone has heard at least once. I am insanely excited for the release of Spoon's upcoming album, Transference. Here's the first single.